Cohen's Law License: Revoked Or Restored?

Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, was convicted of multiple felonies, including campaign finance violations, tax fraud, and bank fraud. As a result, he was disbarred, meaning he could no longer practice law. However, some sources suggest that Cohen may be able to practice law again in the future. New York law allows disbarred lawyers to apply for reinstatement after seven years, but Cohen's fitness to practice may be called into question.

Michael Cohen's disbarment

Michael Cohen, the former lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, was disbarred following his conviction on multiple felony charges. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts, including campaign finance violations, tax fraud, and bank fraud. He admitted to violating campaign finance laws at Trump's direction to influence the 2016 presidential election. As a result of his felony convictions, Cohen faced automatic disbarment and could no longer practice law.

Disbarment is a serious consequence for lawyers, and it prohibits them from practicing law. However, it does not necessarily prevent individuals from working as fixers, which do not require a law license. In the case of Michael Cohen, his disbarment means that he can no longer practice law and represent clients in a legal capacity.

While disbarment is a significant setback for a lawyer, it does not necessarily mean a permanent end to their legal career. In some jurisdictions, disbarred lawyers may have the opportunity to apply for reinstatement after a certain period. For example, in New York, where Cohen was disbarred, the law allows disbarred lawyers to seek reinstatement after seven years. However, the process of reinstatement is challenging and not guaranteed.

Cohen's disbarment and potential path to reinstatement have drawn comparisons to other high-profile cases. One notable example is I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, a former aide to Dick Cheney, who was pardoned and reinstated to practice law after his release from jail. While it is legally possible for Cohen to pursue reinstatement, it may be difficult, and his fitness to practice will be called into question.

Cohen's felony conviction

Michael Cohen, the former lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, was convicted of multiple felonies. These included campaign finance violations, tax fraud, and bank fraud. Cohen admitted that he had violated campaign finance laws at Trump's direction to influence the 2016 presidential election. He also pleaded guilty to tax evasion and lying to Congress.

As a result of his felony convictions, Cohen was disbarred and could no longer practice law. In New York, where Cohen was admitted to the bar, any felony conviction results in automatic disbarment. This meant that Cohen lost his license to practice law and could no longer work as a lawyer.

However, disbarred lawyers in New York can apply for reinstatement after seven years. While it is challenging for a lawyer who has been convicted of a felony to regain their license, it is not impossible. Some high-profile lawyers, such as I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, a former aide to Dick Cheney, have had their law licenses reinstated after serving time in prison.

Cohen's chances of regaining his law license depend on various factors, including his fitness to practice and the decisions of the relevant legal authorities. While automatic disbarment is a significant consequence of his felony convictions, the possibility of reinstatement means that Cohen could potentially resume his legal career after serving his sentence.

Cohen's fitness to practice law

Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, was convicted of multiple felonies, including campaign finance violations, tax fraud, and bank fraud. As a result, he was disbarred and could no longer practice law.

Now, regarding Cohen's fitness to practice law, it is important to consider his conduct before and after his conviction. Before his conviction, Cohen served as an attorney for Donald Trump for over a decade, during which he was involved in several controversial incidents. Notably, he admitted to violating campaign finance laws at Trump's direction to influence the 2016 presidential election. This raises questions about his ethical judgment and willingness to comply with legal and ethical standards.

Additionally, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying under oath to Congress, which is a serious breach of trust and calls into question his honesty and integrity. This particular felony conviction led to his disbarment, as any felony conviction in New York results in automatic disbarment. Cohen's actions not only violated the law but also potentially undermined public trust in the legal profession and the electoral process.

However, when assessing Cohen's fitness to practice law, it is important to consider his conduct post-conviction as well. Cohen has expressed remorse for his actions and taken responsibility for his crimes. He has also provided substantial cooperation to investigators and testified before Congress, which could be seen as a mitigating factor. It indicates a willingness to acknowledge his mistakes and assist in upholding the law.

New York law allows disbarred lawyers to apply for reinstatement after seven years, and there are precedents of high-profile lawyers regaining their licenses after serving jail time. While Cohen's felony convictions and disbarment are serious impediments, demonstrating genuine reform, a commitment to ethical standards, and a substantial change in character could potentially enhance his chances of regaining his law license in the future.

Pardoned lawyers who got reinstated

Michael Cohen, the former lawyer of Donald Trump, pleaded guilty to eight counts, including campaign-finance violations, tax fraud, and bank fraud, in August 2018. He was released from prison early in May 2020 due to concerns regarding COVID-19 and was to serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest. However, he was taken back into federal custody in July 2020 for refusing to agree to the conditions of his home confinement, which included not engaging with the media.

Cohen may be able to practice law again after his prison sentence. While the primary hurdle he faces is his fitness to practice, New York law allows disbarred lawyers to apply for reinstatement after seven years.

There have been instances of pardoned lawyers who were reinstated after their release from jail. For example, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, a former aide to Dick Cheney, was pardoned and reinstated.

In a separate but similar incident, two D.C. police officers, Terence Sutton and Lt. Andrew Zabavsky, were pardoned and reinstated by President Donald Trump in January 2025. The officers had been convicted in the October 2020 death of Karon Hylton-Brown, who died from severe head trauma after being hit by a car while riding a motorbike without a helmet during a police chase. Despite opposition from Hylton-Brown's mother, who appealed to President Trump for fairness, the officers were pardoned and are expected to undergo routine training and recertification before returning to duty.

The difficulty of reinstatement

Michael Cohen, the former lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, was disbarred following his conviction for multiple felonies, including lying under oath to Congress, campaign finance violations, tax fraud, and bank fraud. While it may be possible for Cohen to get his law license back, reinstatement will be challenging and not guaranteed.

Under New York law, disbarred lawyers can apply for reinstatement after seven years. However, Cohen faces significant hurdles, primarily related to his fitness to practice. The process of reinstatement is stringent, and lawyers are held to a higher standard than professionals in other fields, such as pilots or truck drivers.

Cohen's felony convictions, particularly for lying under oath, reflect negatively on his character and integrity, which are essential for legal practice. His actions also raise questions about his judgment and ethical standards, which will be closely scrutinized during any reinstatement process. Cohen's reinstatement as a lawyer is not a straightforward process and will be subject to rigorous evaluation and review.

Additionally, Cohen's high-profile association with Trump and his role as a fixer have likely drawn more attention to his conduct and increased the scrutiny he will face. The seriousness of his offenses and the potential damage to his reputation may make it difficult for him to meet the character and fitness requirements necessary for reinstatement.

While it is not impossible for Cohen to regain his law license, the road to reinstatement will be arduous. He will need to demonstrate significant rehabilitation, remorse, and a strong case for his fitness to practice law again. The decision on reinstatement will be influenced by various factors, including the gravity of his offenses, his conduct post-conviction, and the passage of time since his disbarment.

Frequently asked questions